UN will punish staff involved in act of terror

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres vowed to hold to account “any U.N. employee involved in acts of terror” after allegations that some refugee agency staffers were involved with Hamas on Oct 7 attack on Israel.

He also implored governments to continue supporting the U.N. refugee agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) after nine countries paused funding.

“Any U.N. employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution,” the U.N. chief said in a statement.

“The Secretariat is ready to cooperate with a competent authority able to prosecute the individuals in line with the Secretariat’s normal procedures for such cooperation.”

“The tens of thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA, many in some of the most dangerous situations for humanitarian workers, should not be penalized. The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met.”

He also revealed on the actions against the 12 UNRWA implicated.

Nine had been terminated. One was confirmed dead. The identities of the other two were being clarified.

Yesterday Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Finland joined the United States, Australia and Canada in pausing funding to the aid agency.